In accordance to its global mandate of ensuring food security for all, and its role as Task Manager of several chapters of Agenda 21, FAO is promoting the implementation of Chapter 10 of Agenda 21, "Integrated Planning and Management of Land Resources (IPMLR)".

The broad objective of IPMLR is to promote the uses of land and productive landscapes that provide the greatest benefits (socio-cultural, economic, environmental) and meet stakeholder priorities, thereby contributing to local and national goals in both the short and long term. This integrated approach (IPMLR) involves improved management of natural resources, the provision of social and economic incentives and the development and adoption of appropriate technologies and participatory planning and decision-making processes. The outcome will include improved access to resources for marginalised groups; employment and income generation to alleviate poverty; stable production, supply and marketing of nutritionally adequate food and other products; conservation and sustainable use of resources and a healthy ecosystem

A number of major events and conferences are taking place in 2001 and 2002 which could be considered as building blocks for the Johannesburg Summit (see events), in particular:

The World Food Summit-Five Years Later (WFS-FYL) which will review progress made towards the goal of the 1996 World Food Summit - to reduce the number of hungry people by half by 2015 - and consider ways to accelerate the process.

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (2-11 September 2002) will review progress achieved over the last ten years to implement the decisions taken at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development - UNCED, (Rio de Janeiro, 1992) with the goal to reinvigorate global commitment to sustainable development. Focus will be on promoting action to address new challenges and opportunities and to renew political commitment and support for sustainable development within the framework of Agenda 21.

The Johannesburg Summit will offer a major opportunity to reassert the central role of SARD and management of land resources and fragile ecosystems to achieve the goals of Agenda 21 and beyond.

Integrated approaches address all resources and include human and landscape dimensions

In moving towards these milestones, in regard to land and agriculture, FAO is facilitating feedback and consultations with stakeholders with the aims of (a) soliciting multiple perspectives and share experiences on progress and successes since UNCED; (b) identifying priority areas, knowledge and resource gaps requiring further attention; and (c) stimulating cooperation for achievement of goals of Agenda 21.

In this process FAO, in collaboration with UNEP, is preparing a report for the Secretary General of UN for Rio+10 on the progress achieved since UNCED in implementing chapters 10, 12 and 14 of Agenda 21, regarding, respectively "Integrated Planning and Management of Land Resources (IPMLR)" ; "Managing fragile ecosystems: Combating desertification and drought" and "Promoting sustainable agriculture and rural development SARD"

Please go to the site of the ongoing Electronic Conference (3-20 May 2001).